PowerNet Global Communications

Cincinnati, OH, May 19, 2004 – Bernie Stevens, President/CEO of PowerNet Global Communications has been awarded the annual Deal Maker/Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG). The Deal Maker/Entrepreneur of the Year Award is presented by the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth to recognize the significant achievements of local companies, entrepreneurs and financiers, who participate in merger and acquisition activity in Greater Cincinnati.

Mr. Stevens founded PNG Telecommunications, Inc. in 1992 in the basement of his West Chester home. After telecommunications deregulation, he recognized the opportunity to resell long distance service. In 1999, the company changed its name to PowerNet Global Communications to reflect the company's growing spectrum of communications services. Mr. Stevens serves as PowerNet Global’s President/CEO. He is a member of the Comptel/Ascent Alliance and is actively involved in charitable foundations.

About PowerNet Global

Founded in 1992, Cincinnati-based integrated communications provider PowerNet Global (www.powernetglobal.com) works with many of the country’s top communications agents and affinity groups to offer a wide range of integrated voice, data, and Internet solutions nationwide to residential and business customers. Leveraging its reputation in the industry with strong carrier partnerships, PowerNet Global offers tremendous opportunities for carriers, resellers, agents, and affinity groups. The company is headquartered in Cincinnati, and has an office in Jamestown, New York. PowerNet Global has achieved consistent growth—throughout the telecom industry downturn—by developing and marketing an expanding array of competitive products, as well as through strategic acquisitions.